Nation
THE STATES
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue (left), and wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, during the Vice President’s wife visit to Idps camp in Makurdi recently.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno has commended
President Muhammadu Buhari’s financial discipline, saying it would save many states from collapse in the face of the falling oil price at the international market.
A statement by Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to the governor on Communication, quoted Shettima as giving the commendation at a wedding reception in the Government House, Kano.
The reception was in honour of Gov. Muhammad Abubakar of Jigawa’s daughter, Amina, who got married to Lawan Dahiru Mangal at the Umar bn Khattab Mosque.
Shettima said: “The fall in price of crude oil to below 40 dollars per barrel has threatened Nigeria’s main source of revenue.
“Government in the 36 states will have been in serious trouble if not for the financial prudence of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Benue
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees,
(UNHCR) has advised the Federal Government to increase its assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Agatu, Benue.
UNHCR’s Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Angele DIkongue-Atangana, gave this advice on Wednesday in Makurdi in an interview with newsmen.
She said that the IDPs in Agatu required urgent and sustained attention just like their counterparts in the North-East and other areas in Nigeria.
“The amount of damage done to Agatu communities is similar to what obtained in Borno and other affected states in Nigeria.
“As at now, over 2.2 million Nigerians have been displaced from their homes in villages and towns seeking refuge and protection in camps and communities,’’ she said.
Ekiti
Coordinator, Vanguard for Better Living, a non-
governmental Organisation, Mr Samson Olaide, has lauded an Ado-Ekiti High Court judge for sentencing a school proprietor to 10 years imprisonment for raping a 10-year- old pupil.
Olaide gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen in Ikole, Ekiti State.
He said that the judgment would go a long way in curbing the activities of rapists, describing them as “animals in human body.’’
Olaide decried increase in reported cases of rape, especially abuse of minors across the country, saying the menace was fast assuming dangerous dimension.
FCT
Meat consumers in Kuje Area Council of the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) have raised alarm over the deplorable state of infrastructure and unhealthy operational environment of the council’s abattoir.
Some of the consumers who spoke to newsmen in Kuje faulted the reliance of the abattoir on stream water for the washing of meat before conveying to market.
Mr Adekunle Odunayo, a meat consumer, said the use of stream water and car tyres for roasting meat for human consumption was unhealthy.
He said that “the state of the abattoir, as you can see, is not healthy because in the first instance, there is no water to wash the slab after use.
Katsina
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has called on the
people of the state to exercise patience with the ongoing change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari in the country.
He made the call when he launched small-scale businesses empowerment and free treatment schemes initiated by Sen. Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina).
Our correspondent reports that other House of Representatives and State House of Assembly members from Katsina South senatorial zone were also initiators of the scheme.
The governor assured the people that the APC-led .
Kogi
The Secretary to Kogi Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade
said the government would set up a committee to determine the fate of 142 workers placed on compulsory leave since 2011.
Ayaode, disclosed this in Lokoja during a meeting with the representatives of the affected workers of the state transport company.
She expressed sympathy with the plight of the workers who had lived for the past five years without salary.
The SSG promised to draw the attention of Gov. Yahaya Bello to their plight, adding that the government would also offer them relief package pending the determination of their case.
Spokesman of the affected workers, Mr Usman Ibrahim said their problem started in the second quarter of 2011 when 15 serviceable buses of the transport company were “fraudulently” sold to politicians at give away prices.
Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
said it had intercepted a letter laden with heroin in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement signed in Lagos by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju.
According to the statement, the letter, which was sent from Bengalore, India, via Express Mail Service (EMS), was addressed to one Mr Yunusa Amusan, 33, in Mushin, Lagos.
“Upon interception by the NDLEA, about 480 grammes of powdery substance that tested positive for heroin, was found inside the letter.
“The thin parcels of heroin were carefully hidden in the letter in a manner that makes it difficult to detect.
“This is the first case of heroin letter discovered by the anti-narcotic agency this year,’’ it said.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of the agency, Mr Muhammad Abdallah, saying that the arrest was recorded following the diversification of the agency’s operations.
Osun
Coordinating Director, Osun State Ministry of Agriculture,
Food Security and Youth Engagement, Dr Oluwabukola Aluko, has announced that butchers operating in the state would henceforth pay levy to the government.
Aluko, who made the announcement in a statement issued to newsmen in Osogbo, said that the payment of the levy would commence from April 1.
He said that each cow slaughtered as meat for consumption in the state would attract N1, 000 levy while each sheep, goat, pig and other animals would attract N200 levy.
He said that the decision to introduce the levy was reached after an interactive session between Governor Rauf Aregbesola and butchers association in the state.
Plateau
The Plateau Director of National Orientation Agency
(NOA), Mr Bulus Dabit, has urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, in spite of the current challenges.
Dabit, who made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Jos, said better days lie ahead for Nigerians.
“There is no gain without pain and Nigerians should be patient with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Nigerians need to understand that government cannot solely fizzle out the present challenges we are passing through as a country.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government said it would partner with
the UN Development Organisation ( UNIDO) and the Bank of Industry ( BoI) to establish leather cluster in Sokoto.
The state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industries, Alhaji Aminu Bello, made the disclosure in Sokoto in an interview with newsmen.
He said that the cluster, which would be a conglomeration of industries producing leather products in one place, was aimed at harnessing the abundant hides and skin in Sokoto State.
He added that “this is a tripartite partnership aimed at reviving the moribund leather industries and boost the activities of leather artisans.
Yobe
The Yobe Government has pledged to support Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) relocating to their communities with agricultural inputs to boost farming and promote economic rehabilitation.
Alhaji Musa Jidawa, the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), stated this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
The secretary said some of the IDPs had started relocating to their communities preparatory to the farming season, noting that government would ensure that it provided them with farm inputs this cropping season.
Zamfara
The Deputy National Chairman, Ulama’u Council of the
Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheik Yusuf Rigachikun, has urged the Federal Government to involve more Islamic scholars on its Hajj committees.
Rigachikun made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Gummi town, headquarters of Gummi Local Government of Zamfara.
‘’Involving more Islamic scholars on hajj committees is very important for the exercise, because they play vital role in preaching and teaching pilgrims how to perform the hajj rites to gain maximum spiritual benefits.
The Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike, has described love as the bedrock of human existence, family stability and societal harmony, stressing that without love, nothing meaningful can thrive.
Bishop Uzosike made this assertion while speaking to journalists during the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Praise Uzosike, to Architect Chibuzor Akubueze on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The solemnisation was held at the Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, and was attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
According to the cleric, love is not only the foundation of relationships but also a powerful force that determines the success of individuals, families and communities.
“If you do not love a place, that place will not bless you. If you do not love your children, they will not be useful to you. If you do not love your family, your family will become a strange island to you. What you do not love, you do not have. Love is the key,” he said.
Reflecting on his family’s journey, Bishop Uzosike said God’s love had sustained them through seasons of challenges and triumphs, noting that unity had remained their greatest strength.
“We have stayed together as one family. God has shown us love in miraculous and mysterious ways, especially during difficult times,” he stated.
Describing the wedding as an amazing and beautiful experience, the bishop expressed appreciation for the show of love from his daughter’s friends, many of whom travelled from the United Kingdom and Ghana to attend the ceremony. He revealed that some of them personally paid for their flights and accommodation, which he described as a rare display of genuine friendship.
He also disclosed that his first daughter, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, with her husband, could not attend the wedding due to tight schedules, but noted that she remains happily married and fulfilled.
While thanking guests for honouring his family with their presence, prayers and goodwill, Bishop Uzosike said he felt proud and grateful to God.
“One of the greatest gifts God can give to a man is children who are sound in all ramifications. My children can see, hear, speak and walk. That alone is enough reason to be grateful,” he said.
He praised the bride, describing Praise as an exceptional achiever who had distinguished herself academically. According to him, she completed secondary school at 15, graduated with First Class honours at 19, and earned distinctions in her MBA as well as her first and second master’s degrees.
“For a long time, people believed that highly educated women may not marry early or at all. Today, Praise has proved otherwise. She has made her mother and me very proud,” he said, describing her as a rare gem.
Bishop Uzosike also expressed joy over his son-in-law, whom he described as God-fearing, disciplined and professionally sound.
“He is well brought up, passionate about God and morally upright. His parents did a great job. My wife, Pastor Esther, also did an excellent job,” he added.
The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu; the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemeyie; and several senior clerics.
Bishop Fidelis Ugbong officiated the solemnisation, while Apostle Chika Onuzo delivered the sermon, identifying communication, sex and money as key factors that can strengthen or weaken marriages.
Prof. Ngozi Odu also prayed for the couple and paid glowing tributes, drawing admiration from attendees.
The reception, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, was equally colourful. Justice Matilda Ayemeyie proposed the toast, describing marriage as not always a bed of roses and emphasising patience, commitment and understanding.
The event was chaired by Chief Henry Nwabugo and attended by notable personalities, including retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; Hon. Otunba Jumbo; Nze Best Anele; and Prof. Henry Ogiri, among others.
Guests were entertained with dance performances by the couple, while the parents’ outing added elegance to the celebration. The master of ceremonies, Ambassador Kingsley, kept the audience engaged with humour and interactive sessions.
Overall, the wedding was a remarkable blend of spirituality, culture and celebration, marked by love, joy and unforgettable moments.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC), in Bayelsa State and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-Party Relations, Dr Jackson Ebi Suokiri has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure landslide win in the 2027 Presidential polls.
The Governor’s Aide stated this in Yenagoa, the state capital on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen against the backdrop of Tuesday’s pioneer Stakeholders meeting of the party convened by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri as leader of the Party in the State upon his recent defection late last year.
He averred that Party stakeholders in the state were prepared to give the President the massive support needed to return elected, come 2027 following his sterling trajectory of performance and qualitative leadership prowess.
Dr Suokiri stressed that the reason for the governor’s swapping of party was in the best interest of the state, while also noting that the governor took the right decision as there was no need continuing with opposition politics even as the state has to align with the national government for rapid socioeconomic and political advantages for the state and its people.
“Governor Diri’s defection like you’ve personally heard him saying was for the best interest of our state, Bayelsa. When you’ve a President performing well at the national level and being very supportive to your state as a governor, I don’t think you’ve to be in an opposition party anymore, but rather align with the centre.
“Diri is a bridge builder. He is at peace with everybody and willing to work with all, irrespective of party affiliations or political differences for the interest of the state.
“As Stakeholders we’ve resolved to collectively work to return President Tinubu elected for second term in 2027. And you can see the Governor is not pressuring anybody or the structure of his former party, the PDP to defect like he has done.
“The PDP structure in the state is still intact, and for the APC, his new Party even as current leader in the State, he has been working with the structure and everybody he met on ground, hence you can see that the APC Caretaker Committee led by Dr. Dennis Otiotio has been maintained at the pioneer Stakeholders meeting convened by the Governor.
“But you must also know like you’ve seen and I’ve previously said that Governor Diri has outperformed expectations of Bayelsans in all sectors, be it economy, infrastructure, health, education, etc.”, he said.
Meanwhile, as against insinuations that some political parties were not working with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations, the Governor’s Aide has revealed that as it were currently, all the 19 registered political parties with presence in the state are working in unity with his office as members of the Inter-party advisory council (IPAC).
“IPAC is working in unity with my office. Before the Governor’s defection the only party that wasn’t working with my office was the APC. But since after his formal defection, the APC and even those other parties that were either sympathetic to the APC, the governor’s new party or the PDP, his former Party are all now working together with my office as members of IPAC”, Suokiri added.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
